Hammad Motiwala | Staff Writer
Featured image: York’s Arbour Day event on October 25 aims to make a greener, brighter campus. | Courtesy of Sustainability @ York
As part of York’s Sustainability Month, the Grounds Department organized this year’s Arbour Day, during which all faculty, staff, and students were invited to help plant up to 100 trees.
On October 25, volunteers met at 2 p.m. at the Arboretum, just south of the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence, to plant local trees of all kinds—including red and sugar maple, white pine, and white cedar.
Arbour Day was a way to assist both urban and rural forests, which are at risk due to climate changes and disease. Trees provide immeasurable value to rural and urban environments alike, as well as to the overall quality of life for both humans and various wildlife.
“The tree canopy on campus is constantly under threat, so it’s vital to plant new ones every year,” says Andrew Plunkett, York’s sustainability coordinator.
The event aimed to create awareness and engage others to practice sustainability among the York community.
“From a tree’s perspective, it’s crucial, but I think from a community-building perspective, it’s beneficial as well,” says Plunkett.
“Everyone here today is a volunteer, and they’re all quite keen on being a part of and helping out the campus, by making it a more beautiful and healthy place.”
On speaking about Arbour Day, Tim Haagsma, grounds manager at York, says: “It’s a good way to include the York community in helping to reforest our campus and to make it more green.”
The initiative has been in place for the last few years, aiding in the planting of hundreds of trees.
York’s Bookstore helps in the funding of this event by collecting 15 cents for each plastic bag purchased during the year and donating the proceeds to purchase the trees.
Students are always welcome to join in the annual event as a way to guide them in forming a more environmentally-conscious mindset.
